A Vision for Volunteering in Greater Manchester
We recognise that volunteering is a major contributor to:
- the quality of life of volunteers themselves and the people and communities that they support
- the range and quality of services, facilities, activities and cultural life of the region
- the local economy
.
We are, therefore, committed to ensuring that volunteering remains at the heart of life in Greater Manchester, is entered into by increasing numbers of people across a diversity of backgrounds, and is based on the following principles:
For volunteers themselves:
- it is always a matter of free choice
- it is inclusive and accessible
- good quality, meaningful opportunities are available (i.e. those underpinned by appropriate support, training, and resources to enable them to carry out their role effectively and safely)
- recognition is given for the contribution they make by organisations and by the wider GM community
For volunteer involving organisations:
- the nature and value of volunteer involvement is understood at all levels of the organisation so that volunteers and the organisation mutually benefit from the contribution that volunteers make
- the managing/support of volunteers is seen as an important and key role within the organisation, leading to the appropriate support and recognition for those carrying out this function.
Definition
For the purposes of this Vision:
“Volunteering is defined as an activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or individuals or groups other than (or in addition to) close relatives.
NB It should be seen as distinct from mandated /required or contractual activity.
A Vision for Volunteering in Greater Manchester
Volunteering is recognised as being of great value and importance in the life of Greater Manchester, and this Vision Statement sets out what we believe are the key principles about volunteering which should be supported and maintained. It is hoped that organisations and agencies will share this vision and be able to sign up to demonstrate their endorsement.
The Vision has been developed by a cross-sector partnership of representatives from volunteer involving organisations, facilitated by GMCVO, who now meet regularly as the Volunteering Greater Manchester Partnership *, and was subsequently endorsed by a major conference of representatives of volunteer involving organisations at the end of 2013. It is the first time that the different sectors in Greater Manchester have come together to affirm what we all believe to be fundamental to the nature of volunteering at a time when there is often challenge to the concept of volunteering and the role of volunteers.
The VGM partnership will be officially launching this Vision for Volunteering in Greater Manchester during Volunteers Week (1-7th June) and will be encouraging as many organisations as possible to 'sign up' to this. By signing organisations are committing themselves to:
- supporting the principles laid out in the Vision
- working towards making these a reality, either in practices implemented within their own organisations, or in the development of policies and strategy which affect volunteers
- finding ways to work in partnership and meet with others to increase, support and encourage volunteering best practice
Further information will be available shortly about how to sign up to this.
* (previously the Advisory Group for GMCVO's VGM Partnership project)